Chapter 7.18.2 _ September 1023 Jorvik, Jorvik; Tower of Jorvik
7.18.2
September 1023
Jorvik, Jorvik
Tower of Jorvik
Crístina sat on the stool anxiously awaiting the opening of the door to her prison. Since being placed in the tower six months ago she had not been outside of the rooms that made up her so-called chambers. In that time, she had very few visitors. Her two lady attendants saw her daily and most times were her only source of conversation. Beorhthelm saw her regularly, however since the birth of her daughter it was less frequent. She had not been permitted to see any of her other children and Rædwald had not stepped foot in the chambers. She had no news of the outside world. Only rumors and bits and pieces of information she garnered off her attendants.
The door opened. Crístina swallowed and her stomach churned from nerves. Her eldest child Eadweard entered the chambers. Her first born son was no longer a child. Before her stood a man. A man who someday would be king of the most powerful kingdom in Britain and Ireland.
Crístina smiled and walked over to her son. He remained still as if he was a stone statue. She hugged him and gave him a mother’s kiss on the cheek. The prince did react or move. He looked out the window. Disappointed Crístina backed away.
Looking at her son she said, “I am glad you are here.”
Without looking at her Eadweard answered, “You requested to see me, and I am here.”
Trying to stay joyful Crístina said, “Your wife did not accompany you. I had hoped to meet her. I have not seen Sarrazine in many years. Not since the betrothal ceremony.”
Showing no emotions Eadweard replied, “See is preparing for the trip.”
Surprised by the news of a trip Crístina asked, “A trip? You were only married a few days ago." Where would she be going?” Crístina felt a stab to her heart recalling that she had not been permitted to attend the wedding.
Eadweard responded drily, “We are traveling to Bamborg.”
Her spirits sinking some at the thought of her son moving, Crístina asked, “Northumberland, why?”
Proudly Eadweard answered, “The king has appointed me Count of Northumberland and Jarl of Northumberland,”
Full of pride Crístina said, “Congratulations.”
Again, emotionlessly Eadweard replied, “Thank you.”
Desperate to keep the conversation going and thusly keeping her son with her, Crístina asked, “What of your brother and sister?”
Eadweard had decided he would answer any questions about his siblings but before he realized he spoke, “Eilif and Ælfthryth have contracted camp fever.”
Terror filled Crístina’s face and she let out an audible cry.
Seeing her dismay, a crack developed in Eadweard’s persona. While he hated her and wanted her to suffer this was different. Watching a mother suffering because her children were in danger was not what he had prepared for. “Beorhthelm is treating them and he says their cases are not serious and they will survive.”
Some relief came to her and she asked, “What of Sigeberht?”
Eadweard shifted his weight, “He is well.”
Noticing Eadweard discomfort Crístina offered, “Sit please.”
At first, he was going to refuse but the stiffness and pain from standing rigid for too long was annoying him. He sat on the stool she indicated.
Crístina sat and asked, “What of the Bavaria princess? Did they get betrothed?”
Eadweard placed his hands in his lap and replied, “Yes Princess Richenza of Bavaria, daughter of King Hermann of Bavaria, and he were betrothed four months ago.”
Crístina sighed, another event she had not been allowed to attend.
Holding back her tears she said, “What of the king’s sister Bodil has a new husband been found for her?
Eadweard nodded, “She is betrothed to King Gargamel of Aquitaine.”
Crístina smiled, “That is good. She deserves to be married to a king.”
They fell silent and Eadweard was readying to stand. To stop him Crístina asked, “Now that you are Jarl of Northumberland will you being joining war?”
Eadweard shook his head, “No. Father has ordered the levies to return home.”
Shocked Crístina remarked, “He abandons King Uhtred and the Scottish?”
Eadweard smirked, “No. Since Jedburgh was taken it is only matter of time King Ælfgar surrenders.”
Confused Crístina asked, “What does the king play at?”
Eadweard laughed, “Why Ireland of course. It is time for him to press his claims for Dyflinn and Tuadhmhumhain.”
The news pained Crístina. Rædwald was no longer content with exacting tribute from the Irish now he wants to be their lord and master.
Before she could do anything Eadweard stood, “I must be leaving. I have been here too long.”
Crístina approached him to give him a hug but stopped seeing he would not return it.
“Why do you hate me?” she asked.
Eadweard chuckled, “You have to ask.” He glared at her and continued, “You betrayed father having the bastard of another man. Your broke your oaths and vows.”
Crístina stepped away from him, “I made a mistake and am truly sorry for it.”
Eadweard stood firm, “I cannot forgive for what you have done to father.”
Crístina was on the verge of tears, “Do not punish me so. God has already punished me. My daughter Mauda with her deformities is punishment enough.”
Eadweard had heard the babe was ugly and he had no desire to see her. Before his mother insisted, he do so he began to turn.
Crístina reached out and grabbed his shoulder to stop him, “What of Rígán?”
Eadweard stopped and turned around. With venom in his voice he said, “You are unbelievable. You ask for forgiveness and for me not to hate you and then you ask about your lover. Makes me believe you care for him more than your husband and your children.”
Crístina realized her mistake and sobbed.
Eadweard on the other hand smiled at her devilishly, “He is well.” Eadweard could see the sigh of relief come across her even though she tried to hide it. “He was brought to father by Ealdmund. Father intended to throw him in the dungeons but after speaking with him and doing some thinking father figured out a better place for him.”
Crístina could not resist, “Where?”
Eadweard smiled broadly, “The Kingdom of Mide.”
Crístina said, “I do not understand.”
Eadweard laughed, “He is regent.”
Crístina gasped.
Eadweard gloated, “See father discovered he cared for power more than anything else including you. As regent he has that power and father has someone who is very thankful for his good fortune.”
Crístina stood silent with her mouth open. Eadweard turned and marched out of the chambers. Once the door slammed shut Crístina fell to her knees crying uncontrollably.
September 1023
Jorvik, Jorvik
Tower of Jorvik
Crístina sat on the stool anxiously awaiting the opening of the door to her prison. Since being placed in the tower six months ago she had not been outside of the rooms that made up her so-called chambers. In that time, she had very few visitors. Her two lady attendants saw her daily and most times were her only source of conversation. Beorhthelm saw her regularly, however since the birth of her daughter it was less frequent. She had not been permitted to see any of her other children and Rædwald had not stepped foot in the chambers. She had no news of the outside world. Only rumors and bits and pieces of information she garnered off her attendants.
The door opened. Crístina swallowed and her stomach churned from nerves. Her eldest child Eadweard entered the chambers. Her first born son was no longer a child. Before her stood a man. A man who someday would be king of the most powerful kingdom in Britain and Ireland.
Crístina smiled and walked over to her son. He remained still as if he was a stone statue. She hugged him and gave him a mother’s kiss on the cheek. The prince did react or move. He looked out the window. Disappointed Crístina backed away.
Looking at her son she said, “I am glad you are here.”
Without looking at her Eadweard answered, “You requested to see me, and I am here.”
Trying to stay joyful Crístina said, “Your wife did not accompany you. I had hoped to meet her. I have not seen Sarrazine in many years. Not since the betrothal ceremony.”
Showing no emotions Eadweard replied, “See is preparing for the trip.”
Surprised by the news of a trip Crístina asked, “A trip? You were only married a few days ago." Where would she be going?” Crístina felt a stab to her heart recalling that she had not been permitted to attend the wedding.
Eadweard responded drily, “We are traveling to Bamborg.”
Her spirits sinking some at the thought of her son moving, Crístina asked, “Northumberland, why?”
Proudly Eadweard answered, “The king has appointed me Count of Northumberland and Jarl of Northumberland,”
Full of pride Crístina said, “Congratulations.”
Again, emotionlessly Eadweard replied, “Thank you.”
Desperate to keep the conversation going and thusly keeping her son with her, Crístina asked, “What of your brother and sister?”
Eadweard had decided he would answer any questions about his siblings but before he realized he spoke, “Eilif and Ælfthryth have contracted camp fever.”
Terror filled Crístina’s face and she let out an audible cry.
Seeing her dismay, a crack developed in Eadweard’s persona. While he hated her and wanted her to suffer this was different. Watching a mother suffering because her children were in danger was not what he had prepared for. “Beorhthelm is treating them and he says their cases are not serious and they will survive.”
Some relief came to her and she asked, “What of Sigeberht?”
Eadweard shifted his weight, “He is well.”
Noticing Eadweard discomfort Crístina offered, “Sit please.”
At first, he was going to refuse but the stiffness and pain from standing rigid for too long was annoying him. He sat on the stool she indicated.
Crístina sat and asked, “What of the Bavaria princess? Did they get betrothed?”
Eadweard placed his hands in his lap and replied, “Yes Princess Richenza of Bavaria, daughter of King Hermann of Bavaria, and he were betrothed four months ago.”
Crístina sighed, another event she had not been allowed to attend.
Holding back her tears she said, “What of the king’s sister Bodil has a new husband been found for her?
Eadweard nodded, “She is betrothed to King Gargamel of Aquitaine.”
Crístina smiled, “That is good. She deserves to be married to a king.”
They fell silent and Eadweard was readying to stand. To stop him Crístina asked, “Now that you are Jarl of Northumberland will you being joining war?”
Eadweard shook his head, “No. Father has ordered the levies to return home.”
Shocked Crístina remarked, “He abandons King Uhtred and the Scottish?”
Eadweard smirked, “No. Since Jedburgh was taken it is only matter of time King Ælfgar surrenders.”
Confused Crístina asked, “What does the king play at?”
Eadweard laughed, “Why Ireland of course. It is time for him to press his claims for Dyflinn and Tuadhmhumhain.”
The news pained Crístina. Rædwald was no longer content with exacting tribute from the Irish now he wants to be their lord and master.
Before she could do anything Eadweard stood, “I must be leaving. I have been here too long.”
Crístina approached him to give him a hug but stopped seeing he would not return it.
“Why do you hate me?” she asked.
Eadweard chuckled, “You have to ask.” He glared at her and continued, “You betrayed father having the bastard of another man. Your broke your oaths and vows.”
Crístina stepped away from him, “I made a mistake and am truly sorry for it.”
Eadweard stood firm, “I cannot forgive for what you have done to father.”
Crístina was on the verge of tears, “Do not punish me so. God has already punished me. My daughter Mauda with her deformities is punishment enough.”
Eadweard had heard the babe was ugly and he had no desire to see her. Before his mother insisted, he do so he began to turn.
Crístina reached out and grabbed his shoulder to stop him, “What of Rígán?”
Eadweard stopped and turned around. With venom in his voice he said, “You are unbelievable. You ask for forgiveness and for me not to hate you and then you ask about your lover. Makes me believe you care for him more than your husband and your children.”
Crístina realized her mistake and sobbed.
Eadweard on the other hand smiled at her devilishly, “He is well.” Eadweard could see the sigh of relief come across her even though she tried to hide it. “He was brought to father by Ealdmund. Father intended to throw him in the dungeons but after speaking with him and doing some thinking father figured out a better place for him.”
Crístina could not resist, “Where?”
Eadweard smiled broadly, “The Kingdom of Mide.”
Crístina said, “I do not understand.”
Eadweard laughed, “He is regent.”
Crístina gasped.
Eadweard gloated, “See father discovered he cared for power more than anything else including you. As regent he has that power and father has someone who is very thankful for his good fortune.”
Crístina stood silent with her mouth open. Eadweard turned and marched out of the chambers. Once the door slammed shut Crístina fell to her knees crying uncontrollably.
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